Markhors crush Dolphins to stay perfect in Champions One-Day Cup

FAISALABAD: Kamran Ghulam’s dominant century, followed by a combined bowling effort led Markhors to a thumping 92-run victory over Dolphins in the sixth match of the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup here at Iqbal Stadium on Wednesday.

Set to chase a daunting 285, the Dolphins’ batting lineup faltered and could accumulate 192 before being bundled out in 43.5 overs.

The Dolphins had a dismal start to the pursuit as they lost two wickets inside the first five overs with just 13 runs on the board.

Following the early debacle, skipper Saud Shakeel joined in-form opener Sahibzada Farhan in the middle and briefly anchored the innings with a 46-run partnership.

Salman Ali Agha broke the budding partnership in the 13th over by getting Farhan stumped. The right-handed opener scored a cautious 24 off 35 deliveries.

Saud was then involved in a brief fourth-wicket partnership with Qasim Akram (13) before being removed by Agha in the 23rd over. He remained a notable run-getter for the Dolphins with a 56-ball 41.

Asif Ali then took the reigns of the Dolphins’ run chase and scored a fighting half-century. His resilience, however, came to an end in the 37th over, leaving his side reeling at 161/8.

Asif remained the top-scorer for the Dolphins with a brisk 50, coming off 43 deliveries and featuring three fours and as many sixes.

Later, Markhors’ bowlers ran through the Dolphins’ batting tail and steered their side to a statement victory.

For Markhors, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Imran bagged three wickets each while Iftikhar Ahmed, Zahid Mahmood, Naseem Shah and Akif Javed shared four wickets between them.

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Dolphins elected to field and Mir Hamza proved the decision right with his new ball spell, removing both openers inside five overs with ten runs on the board.

However, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Rizwan raised a solid 122-run stand for the third wicket, lifting the team’s total to 132 in 27 overs.

Usman Qadir broke the partnership as he got Rizwan stumped soon after the wicketkeeper completed his half-century. Rizwan scored 51 runs from 67 balls with four boundaries, including one six.

Kamran Ghulam continued his onslaught during his 71-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha before Sameen Gul ended his entertaining knock. He top-scored with 113 runs off 110 balls which featured 12 boundaries and three sixes.

Markhors were eyeing a big total with 203 runs on the board and six wickets in hand in the 38th over, however, Faheem Ashraf rained on their parade. He picked three quick wickets in his next three overs, reducing Markhors to 235-7.

Salman Ali Agha departed after an anchoring 49-run knock from 47 balls with three fours and one six.

Mohammad Imran and Zahid Mahmood then added crucial 32 runs for the eighth wicket, with the former being the major run-scorer.

Faheem picked Imran’s wicket, who was playing at 27, while Zahid remained unbeaten at 15 off 14. Akif Javed hit the six on the last ball to push the team’s total to 284-9 in 50 overs.

For Dolphins, Faheem Ashraf topped the bowling charts with figures of 4-50, while Mir Hamza picked two wickets. Sameen Gul and Usman Qadir managed one wicket each.

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